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Our Verdict

The choice between the Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland VAD306 will primarily hinge on your individual requirements and budget. The TD-17KVX2 offers affordability coupled with quality, making it an excellent choice for beginners or intermediates. On the other hand, the VAD306 provides a more acoustic-like drumming experience with its full-sized kick drum and larger tom pads, making it a fitting option for drummers desiring a more authentic feel.

Roland TD-17KVX2 vs Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design (2024) Head to Head

Roland TD-17KVX2
vs
Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design

Roland has etched a mark in the electronic drum set landscape with a variety of superior offerings, and the Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design are two exceptional models in this domain. Though both cater to the mid-range category, they present distinct features that influence their appeal to different user preferences.

Key Differences

The TD-17KVX2 features a 5-inch tower kick, while the VAD306 has a full-sized, 18-inch kick drum. It's obvious that a full-sized kick drum is better for a more realistic playing experience, and if you plan to use double bass pedals.

The TD-17KVX2 uses three 8" tom pads, while the VAD306 features 10", 10", and 12" tom pads which are better for more optimal and realistic playability.

The TD-17KVX2 offers a 10-inch hi-hat, while the VAD306 sports a larger 12-inch one which is closer to the optimal size of conventional drum kits.

The TD-17KVX2 has a rack-mounted snare while the VAD306 has an individual snare stand. This is a great option if you want to position it to your preference and provides a real-feel vibe.

Kick Type
Tower
Full-Sized Kick Drum
Kick Pad Size
5-inch
18-inch

Key Features in Common

Both kits provide 310 sounds, the same number of kits (100), and the same amount of input and output options.

Both models offer Bluetooth connection, MIDI connectivity, and audio over USB for recording, so, in terms of playability options, both kits are the same.

Both support custom sampling via an SD card for importing external drum samples.

Both models offer the same additional features such as the metronome function, coach function, and onboard recording (of internal sounds), and have 2 additional pad/cymbal inputs for expanding the kit.

Both kits have the same size snare drum but are different in model and design as mentioned above.

Both drum kits have the same size and number of ride and crash cymbals so they don't differ in cymbal playability at all.

Both the Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design are equipped with the same drum module (the TD-17), so your choice between the two e-drum kits will be based on your preferences between the pads and hardware on the separate kits.

Snare Pad Size
12-inch
12-inch
Number of Sounds
310
310
Drum Module Name
TD-17
TD-17
Bluetooth Connection
Yes
Yes
MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
Audio over USB (for recording)
Yes
Yes
Custom sampling
sd-card
sd-card

Check out the Roland TD-17KVX2 in action.

And here's a video of the Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design.

Price Comparison Between The Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design

Use the below to get up-to-date prices for both the Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design

Roland TD-17KVX2
vs
Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design
We have included a head-to-head comparison of the features and specs on both the Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design.

Hi-Hat

Hi-Hat Size (Inches)
10-inch
12-inch
Hi-Hat Type
Acoustic-style hi-hat stand
Acoustic-style hi-hat stand
Hi-Hat Model
VH-10
VH-10

Cymbal Pads

Ride Cymbal Pad Size (Inches)
14-inch
14-inch
Ride Cymbal Zones
Triple-Trigger
Triple-Trigger
Ride Cymbal Pad Model Number
CY-14R-T
CY-14R-T
Number of Crash Cymbal Pads
2
2
Crash Cymbal Sizes
12", 12"
12", 12"
Crash cymbal choke
Yes
Yes
Crash Cymbal Pad Model Numbers
CY-12C-T
CY-12C-T

Toms

Tom pad sizes
8", 8", 8"
10", 10", 12"
Number of Tom Pads
3
3
Tom Pad Material
Mesh
Roland Mesh
Tom Zones
Dual-Zone
Dual-Zone

Drum Module

Number of Sounds
310
310
Drum Module Name
TD-17
TD-17
Additional Features
Bluetooth audio for wirelessly streaming audio from your smartphone to the TD-17 module, Coach functions support your daily exercise and warm-up routines
Bluetooth audio for wirelessly streaming audio from your smartphone to the TD-17 module, Coach functions support your daily exercise and warm-up routines
Display
128 x 64 dots graphic type LCD (with backlit)
128 x 64 dots graphic type LCD (with backlit)
Bluetooth Connection
Yes
Yes
Metronome
Yes
Yes
On-Board Recording (of internal sounds)
Yes
Yes
Additional Pad/Cymbal Inputs
2
2
Audio Outputs
2 Main Outputs(Left and Right)
2 Main Outputs(Left and Right)
Audio Input (Auxiliary Input)
1/8" inch
1/8" inch
Effects and Sound Editing Capabilities
High
High
MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
MIDI-over-USBMIDI-5-Pin
Audio over USB (for recording)
Yes
Yes
Custom sampling
sd-card
sd-card
Number of Kits
100
100

Snare

Snare Mount Type
Mounted to Rack
Snare Stand
Snare Pad Size
12-inch
12-inch
Snare Pad Material
Mesh
Roland Mesh
Snare Zones
Dual-Zone
Dual-Zone
Snare Pad Model
PDX-12
PDA120LS-BK

Kick

Kick Type
Tower
Full-Sized Kick Drum
Kick Pad Material
Mesh/Cushion
Roland Mesh
Kick Pad Size
5-inch
18-inch
Kick Pad Model
KD-10
KD-180L-BK

Verdict

Roland TD-17KVX2
vs
Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design

Ultimately, both Roland TD-17KVX2 and Roland VAD306 V-Drums Acoustic Design are solid mid-range drum kits offering an array of features. Your decision between the two should be guided by your personal preferences and requirements - be it the affordability and compactness of the TD-17KVX2 or the more acoustic-like and expansive experience offered by the VAD306. Both kits uphold Roland's reputation for delivering quality electronic drum sets and provide excellent value for their respective price points.

Photo of author

Berk Oztuna